Electromagnetic relay



March 31, 1942. F, E, WOQD' 2,278,230

ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY Filed April 24, 1959 FIG. I Fla. 2 FIG. 3

INSULATION 2 {/9 22 34 as 35 2 2 L 3 INSUMT/Z/V F164 F/G.5 F166 FIG-8r 10 [NSl/L/lT/ON INVENTOR. FREDRIC E. W000 ATTORNEY 5 1:. relays.

Patented Mar. 31, 1942 elated Electric '-=:The present. innenti'on -relates to relays and,

- more particulsfrlwto electromagnetic switching Anrelectromagnetic relay conventionally. com- .prises a field structure includingamore provided; with a= winding,:a movable-armature carried by the field structure,.and a 'set. of switch springs operatively'associated with the armature.

Itisan object of vthe present-inventiontoprovide= an improved relayiofathe typeudescl'ibed which is of; rugged and economical-construction and. which is reliable and positiv.e-in.operation. Another objectof the-inventionis to provide a relay of the type described including an improved knife-edged mounting 'zarrangement ufor the armature thereof. a

v In -.brief,..the objectssetare :part realized -in accordance with one feature of. the

present invention by providing an electromagnetic switching relay. compr'sing -a longitudinally; extending-field element, a substantially -:L-'shaped armature including a body portion and anf'operating portion disposed in I angular relationship, and means including "asupport: carried by'the field element adjacent. the endth'ereot and PFC? vvided with azlaterally-iextending knife-edge ongaging the knee of the armature-for piyotally --mounting the armature- 011413116v field Jelement. 56450, the relay comprises:v a i set of contacts; the armature being soconstructedand arranged that thebody portion thereof-is operstively: associated Y with-thefieldelement and that the. operating portion thereof is operatively. associated with the f :setof contacts. :Means is providedincluding two outwardly extending members disposed on'"op--.v posite ,sides ofithe neld elementuadiacentthe support for-restraining the-armature against lateral -disp1acement;-.and-rneans is. provided including an element carried by: the members and engaging the knee oi! the armature.forretain-.

ingthe knee otthearmatuiein place-..on the -knife-edge provided on the support. -More.specifically, the elementcarried by-the members: com- -prises .a leaf,v spring extendingbetweenthe mem- 'bers and engaging theknee of r the. armature at apoint disposedin alignment-with thevv knifeedge provided on the support,-thereby toretain the knee in place on the knife-edge provided on the support.

The two. outwardly extending members a corporationof'belaware Application aprilzi, 1939, Serial No. 269,691 a Claims. (Cl ..17 5- 33 6) the operating portion of the armature, thereby boratorie's, Inc., Chicago, Ill.,

to prevent the operating portion of the-armature and the field element from'sticking together due to .theelectromagnetic forces: therebetween. Furthermore; the two outwardly-extending resilientsarms of the last-mentioned member and the resilient leaf spring extending therebetween are sov constructed and arranged 'thatplac'ement and removal of the armature are readilyfacilitated while therelay is otherwise completely assembled. 1 The novel features'believed to be characteristic wof .theinvention are set forth with-particularity win the appended claims.

The invention; both as to-its organization and method ofoperation, to-

gether. with.v further objects and advantages t-l'iereof, will best be understood by-reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, inwhich'Figure isazplan-view of an electromagnetic switching relay constructed and arrangedin accordance with the present invention; Fig. 215 a side elevation-al view of the relay shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 .is a longitudinal sectional view of the relay taken alongthe 'line HinFig. '1; Fig. us a frag mentaryside elevationalviewof" the endoi' the field element of the relay, illustratin'g an initial step in'the method of forming the'knife-edge thereon; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sideelevational view of the end of the field element of the relay,

. illustrating the knife-edge formed thereon; Fig.

6 is a fragmentary sectional'view of the relay taken along the line H in Fig. 2,-illustrating the arrangement for positioning the base portion-ot the fieldel'ement with respect to the support therefor; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the relay shown in Fig.1;

and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the relay shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the'manner in-which the'armature thereof may be placed andfrexnoved while the relay otherwise completely assembled. I

Reterring, now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3.finc1usive',,;a,nd 6 of the drawing, the electromagnetic switching relay there shown comprises a non-magnetic support l0 anda field structure including a longitudinally extending core element. Il -provided with a winding I2 alongiposed on opposite sides of the fleldelement adi iacent the support .areflexibleand comprise arms carried by a member-formed of nonmagnetic material, A portionot the last mentioned memberlis between the field element, and, elementiil between the body portion-"and the 'tudinally extending field element II and a movable. armature ll operativelyassoclated with the core"'element II. and the field element ll. 'The -core'lement ll includes a body portion- II and a base portion l6 of reduced cross-sectional area,

:whereby a'sh'oulder I1 is provided on the'core base portion It. The field element It has a substantially L-shape and includes a body portion l8 and a base portion is disposed in angular relationship. The base portion I! of the field element it has an opening provided therein; and the base portion it of the core element H is positioned in the opening provided in the base portion I! of the field element I3 and projects therethrough, the shoulder I! provided on the core element ll being disposed in engagement with the wall of the base portion ll of the field element II adjacent the opening provided therein. Also, the support It has an opening provided therein in which the base portion ll of the core element II is arranged. The opening provided in the support III is provided with a tapered seat II: and the outer end of the base portion ll of the core element II is externally threaded as indicated at ii. A member 22 provided with a tapered seat 23 is arranged in the opening provided in the support II and in threaded engagement with the outer end of the base portion it of the core element II. The arrangement of the member 22 in threaded engagement with the outer end of the base portion ll of the core element II and the cooperating tapered seats ii and 28 respectively provided in the opening provided in the support II and on the member 22 insure that the core element I I and the field element II are securely retained in assembled relationship upon the support II. Also, an arrangement is provided for positioning the field element It with respect to the-support I0, which comprises a stud 24 carried by the support Ill and an interflttin'; recess 25 formed in the base portion ll of the field element It. It is noted that the stud 24 carried by the sup- 1 port II is arranged in alignment with respect to the opening provided therein through which the base portion ll of the core element ll projects, thereby to provide an arrangement for positively insuring proper alignment of the core element II and the field element It or the relay with respect to the support It. It is noted that the support ll may carry a number of laterally spaced-apart studs and have a number of openings formed therein reapectiveLv associated with the studs carried thereby, in order to provide a convenient arrangement for mounting a corresponding number of relays upon the support Ill.

The arrangement for retaining the core element and the field element of the relay in assembled relationship and for securing these elements to a support is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Frederic E. Wood, Serial No. 310,301, filed December 21, 1939, which application is a division of the present application.

As best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and '7, the armature ll comprises a one-piece substantially L-shaped structure including a body pc'tion 26 and an operating portion 21 disposed in angular relationship, a knee 2| being provided between the body portion 28 and the operating portion 21. The armature I4 is pivotally mounted on the field element II by an arranger ut including an upwardly and outwardly extending support It carried by the body portion ll of the field element II adjacent the end thereof. More particularly, the support :2 is provided with a laterally extending knife-edge I engaging the knee 28 of the armature ll.

Preferably, the support II is first formed as the end of the body portion ll of the field element 13 by a bending operation, as shown in Fig. 4. The knife-edge I0 is then provided on the support 29 by a milling or grinding machine operation, as shown in Fig. 5.

The knee 2! of the armature I4 is retained in bearing engagement with the laterally extending knife-edge 30 provided on the support 29 by an arrangement including a member 3! having two upwardly and outwardly extending arms I! and 33 disposed on opposite sides of the body portion ll of the field element It adjacent the support 29 and a body portion 34 extending between the arms 32 and 33. Preferably. the member if is formed of resilient metallic stock and comprises a nonmagnetic material, such as brass, the body portion 34 of the member 3| being disposed between the outer end of the operating portion 21 of the armature I l and the adjacent outer surface of the body portion is of the field element It. Preferably. the body portion 34 of the member Ii is secured to the adjacent outer surface of the body portion ll of the field element II by two laterally spaced-apart driving screws 35 and It of the Parker-Kalon type extending through aligned openings provided in the body portion 34 of the member 3| and in the body portion it of the field element II. The outer ends of the arms I! and 33 of the member ii are provided with aligned openings therein which receive the opposite ends of a concave leaf. spring 31 extending therebetween. The arms 32 and II of the member II are so constructed and arranged that they engage the opposite sides of the knee 28 of the armature N, thereby to restrain the knee of the armature against lateral displacement with respect to the knife-edge 30 provided on the support 29. The leaf spring I! is so constructed and arranged that the intermediate portion thereof engages the knee 28 of the armature H at a point dis posed in alignment with the knife-edge ll provided on the support 22, thereby securely to retain the knee of the armature in place on the knife-edge provided on the support.

The arrangement of the body portion 34 of the member ll between the outer end of the operating portion, of the armature l4 and the outer surface of the body portion I8 of the field eiement it prevents the outer end of the operating portion of the armature and the adjacent outer surface of the body portion of the field element from sticking together due to the residual magnetic forces therebetween.

Furthermore it is noted that the leaf spring I! and the resilient arms I! and 33 of the member II are so constructed and arranged that placement and removal of the armature II are facilitated while the relay is otherwise completely assembled. As best shown in Fig. 8, in order to remove the armature ltwhile the relay is otherwise completely assembled, it is only necessaryto grasp the body portion'li thereof and exert an outward force thereupon, the resiliency of the leaf spring 31 and the .arms 82 and 33 of the member ll accommodating outward movement of the armature. Also, the knee 28 of the armsture H may be readily placed upon the knifeedge 30 provided on the support 29 by inserting the operating portion 21 of the armature between the leaf spring 31 and the knife-edge ll provided on the support 28 and then forcing the armature inwardly into position.

Also, it is nr ted that the outer end of the body portion I! of the core element ll carries an annular pole piece II which cooperates directly with the body portion 26 of the armature Furthermore, two, longitudinally spaced-apart winding retainingheads 39 and 40 are carried by the body portion I of-the core element ll, thereby I I a positively to position the winding i2 carried by the body portion of the core element. A set of associated switch springs 4| is carried portion 21 of the armature l4. The set of switch by the body portion ll of the field element .l3 and operatively 'associated'with the operating springs 4| comprises two cooperating individual switch springs 42 and 43 arranged in superimposed relationship. Each of the switch springs comprises a base end and a free end and is provided with a cantilever mounting at its base end."

Also, the switch springs are insulated from each 3 are provided which extend through aligned openings provided in the clamping plate 44, the insulating strips 45 and the switch springs 42 and 43 and are threaded intotapped holes provided in the body portion ll of the field element l3. The switch springs 42 and 43'are'of similar construction, the switch sprin 42 having an elongated eyelet formed therein adjacent the free end thereof; while the switch spring 43 has a substantially Y-shape configuration. The con-.

structions of the switch springs 42 and 43 provide each of the switch springs with two elongated laterally spaced-apart and independently flexible portions, the twofiexible portions of the switch spring 43 being arranged in superimposed relationship with respect to the two flexible portions of the switch spring 42. The two fiexibl portions of each of the switch springs carry two metallic contacts which are arranged in cooperating relationship with two metallic contacts carried by the two flexible portions of the associated switch spring. More particularly, each 'pair of cooperating metallic contacts isarranged in crossing relationship, thereby to insure proper contact between the cooperating pairs of metallic contacts in spite of slight'mechanical variations in the positions of the switch springs 42 and 43. y

In order to facilitate movement of the switch spring 42 with respect to the associated switch spring 43, an operating member 41 is secured to the switch spring 42 adjacent the free end thereof by a driving screw- 43. Preferably, the driving screw 43 is of the Parker-Kalon type; while the operating member 41 is formed of an inactive organic material, such, for example, as a suitable cellulose acetate.

The construction and arrangement of the switch springs, the operating member therefor,

carried thereby are disclosed and claimed in the copending appli and the metallic contacts cation of Frederic E. Wood, Serial No. 269,689, filed April 24, 1939.

The operating end of the operating member 41 carried by the switch spring "is arranged in direct engaging relationship with the operating portion 21 of the armature I4, whereby the armature I4 is biased in a clockwise direction about the laterally extending knife-edge 30 provided on the support 23, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, into and scope of the invention.

a normal position. When the winding l2 of the relay is energized, the armature I4 is rotated about the laterally extending knife-edge 30 provided on the support 28 in. a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs.'2 and 3, thereby to cause the armature l4 to be moved from its normal position to an operated position.. When the armature i4 is moved from its normal position to its operated position, the operating portion 21 thereof engages the operating member", thereby to cause the switch spring 42 to be bent toward the cooperating switch spring 43.- More particularly, the two pairs of metallic contacts carried by the set of switch springs 4| are moved into respective engagements.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that an improved electromagnetic switching relay is provided which is of rugged and economical con-' struction and which operation. i I

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended. claims all such modifications as fall withinthe .truespirit is reliable and positive in What is claimed is: v 1. An electromagnetic relay, comprising a longitudinally extending field element,a substantially L-shaped armature including a. body por-.

ly extending members disposed on opposite sides of said field element adjacent said support for restraining said armature against lateral displacement, a resilient element extending laterally between said members, the opposite ends of said element being supported by the ends of said members, and means including a mid-section of said element engaging a mid-section of the knee of said armature at a point disposed in alignmentwith the knife-edge provided on said support for retaining the knee of said armature in place on the knife-edge provided on said support,

2. An electromagnetic relay, comprising a longitudinally extending field element, a substantially L-shaped armature including a body portion and an operating portion disposed in angular relationship, means including a support carried by said field element adjacent the end thereof and provided with a laterally extending knifeedge engaging the knee of said armature forpivotally mounting said armature on said field element, whereby the body portion thereof is op- ,eratively associated with said field element,

means including two outwardly and longitudinally extending members disposed on opposite.

sides of said field element adjacent said support section of said leaf spring engaging a mid-section of the knee of said armature'at a point disposed in alignment with the knife-edge provided on said support for retaining the knee of said armaof and provided with a laterally extending kniieedge engaging the knee of said armature for pivotally mounting said armature on said field element, whereby the body portion thereof is operatively associated with said field element, means including two outwardly and longitudinally extending resilient members disposed on oppoaite sides of said field element adjacent said support and engaging the opposite sides of the knee of said armature {or restraining said armature against lateral displacement, a resilient element extending laterally between said members the opposite ends of said element being supported by the ends of said members and means including a mid-section of said element engaging a mid-section of the knee of said armature for retaining the knee of said armature in place on the knife-edge provided on said support, said ruilient members and said resilient element being so constructed and arranged that placement and removal 01 said armature is readily facilitated while said relay is otherwise completely assembled. a

4. An electromagnetic relay. comprising a longitudinally extending field element, a substantially L-shaped armature including a body portion and an operating portion disposed in anguin: relationship, means including a support carried by said field element adjacent the end thereof and provided with a laterally extending knifeedge engaging the knee of said armature for pivotally mounting said armature on said field element, said armature being so constructed and arranged that the body portion thereof is operatively associated with said field element and that the operating portion thereof extends along said field element, a member formed of nonmagnetic material and carried by said field element adjacent the end thereof, said member being provided with two outwardly extending resilient arms disposed on opposite sides of said field element adjacent said support and engaging the opposite sides of the knee of said armature, thereby to restrain said armature against lateral displacement, the ends of said arms being apertured and extending beyond said armature, means including a leaf spring extending between the arms of said member and engaging the knee of said armature for retaining the knee of said armature in place on the knife-edge provided on said support; the ends of said leaf spring being received in the apertures in the ends of said arms, said member and said leaf spring being so constructed and arranged that placement and removal of said armature is readily facilitated while said relay is otherwise completely assembled, and means including a portion of said member disposed between said field element and the operating portion or said armature for preventing the operating portion of said armature and said field element from sticking together due to the electromagnetic forces thereas between.

FREDRIC E. WOOD. 

